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City Council to ponder sandwich boards and the regulation thereof
By adamg on Tue, 06/16/2015 - 7:40am
If Portland, OR and even nearby Lexington can require permits for sandwich-board signs, why not Boston? The City Council tomorrow considers the issue, in the form of a request by at-large Councilor Michael Flaherty for new regulations that would require store owners to get permission from the city to put the free-standing ads in front of their shops.
In his request for a hearing on the matter, Flaherty says the city already regulates other types of signs and that given that sandwich boards are "significant marketing tools for small and local businesses," it is, of course, past time for Boston to regulate them as well, to ensure they don't take over sidewalks.
Residents of the city's more refined neighborhoods have from time to time complained about the proliferation of sandwich boards.
Neighborhoods:
Topics:
Free tagging:
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 Flaherty's request for a hearing on sandwich boards | 32.96 KB |
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Comments
I'm pretty suprised there isn't already a regulation.....
in terms of putting tables/ads/chairs/ropes etc on sidewalks. In fact, I could have sworn there was a regulation for that.
Ayup ...
Because way back in 2006, ISD cracked down on Newbury Street.
Refined neighbourhoods
Refined neighbourhoods do not suffer "sandwich boards." They have "luncheon boards."
Call them whatever you want
This is an accessibility issue. Perhaps, instead of issuing permits, they should simply enforce the existing laws against obstructions?
Well
That wouldn't generate any money or create any 6 figure sign enforcement jobs.
Umm, no
Enforcement of logical ordinances without having to specifically apply for a stupid permit is NOT how you run a nanny state!
This sort of shit is what makes people not want to open businesses in the city and leads to nothing but chains. Interesting small businesses aren't driven away by taxes, they are driven away by a million needling regulations and ordinances. Stupid permits like this are how you kill the very essence of a city that makes it worth living in or visiting.
If a sign is blocking traffic a simple request from a cop or inspector should suffice. If the business won't comply, fine accordingly. It's not hard.
LMFAO
Sweet fucking Christ, come to Raleigh if you want to see a city with "nothing but chains".
You said it perfectly BostonDog
Stop trying to regulate everything!
Hypochrites
Where's the outrage? These are no different than space savers in the winter.
EXACTLY
If it's blocking the sidewalk, it's already a code enforcement issue.
If the sidewalk is a big wide one with plenty of room, then bite me.
Someone has a chip on their
Someone has a chip on their shoulder. They're called sandwich boards, even on Newbury Street. Furthermore, it's not just restaurants that use them. These things stick way out onto Newbury's narrow sidewalks which are already crowded with people walking, jogging and riding bikes.
Someone stayed home from school
The day sarcasm was taught.
I thought it was an awesome line.
Wow, you're super clever. You
Wow, you're super clever. You sure showed me!
Wait
Was that sarcasm?
Artisanal luncheon*
Artisanal luncheon*
Bring happy hour, too.
They also have happy hour where drinks are half off. Can we get that, too?
That topic
Should be revisited now that mumbles is gone.
Except ...
That's a state regulation, so complain to your legislators, not the city council.
You can...
Thank Dukakis for that one.....
Boston City Council Green Sheets
Boston City Council Green Sheets available, request at
http://www.cityofboston.gov/contact/?id=138
Green Sheets of Pending Council Matters
Boston City Council Rule 13. Duties of the Clerk
Rule 17. Order of Business and Debate
Rule 24. Calling of Matters in Committee
Rule 25. Matters Placed on File at Year End
http://www.cityofboston.gov/citycouncil/councilrules.asp
In an effort to assist City Councilors in constituant services
councillors should be required to wear sandwich boards that state: "I am a city councilor, I'll work for a parking space."
But then
people would just use city councilors as space savers. It hasn't been 48 hours after the snowfall, I don't CARE if you have frostbite, don't you dare move Mr or Ms Councilor!
Balance of power between Mayor and City Council?...
Should there be a balance of power between the Mayor and Boston City Council?...
There is.
The Mayor has 99.90% and the council has .10%.
And....
THIS is why City Councilors need a raise. Dealing with cutting edge issues like sandwich boards can't be left in the hands of just anyone. Not everyone has the common sense to decide whether a store can put a sign on their sidewalk!
And some people say this isn't a full-time job....psh!
Can a store put a sign
out on the sidewalk is a decision anyone with common sense can make. However, it's deciding how much money to extort from that store for the privildge to put that sign out on the sidewalk that takes the special talents of City Councilors.
Just remember.....
When the sidewalk is covered with snow, it's all yours.
This is a tough call
But I would say that these signs should probably be illegal. The sidewalk is not private space, so what right does a business have to limit use of it? Can I place a large stand-up protest sign on the sidewalk in front of a cafe or tax preparation place and expect it to remain there? If not, why not? Is commercial speech afforded greater protection than political speech?